Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and four other park system units around Lake Superior hope to go carbon free in the coming years/NPS file

Five units of the National Park System that ring Lake Superior hope to be able to go completely carbon-free within four years under an ambitious plan supported by the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation.

A study evaluating that goal for Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Grand Portage National Monument, Isle Royale National Park, Keweena National Historical Park, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore found that a $15 million investment would enable the parks to replace fossil fuel with solar, batteries, heat pumps, and other proven technology, ultimately costing the parks less than maintaining current operations

According to an engineering study, the parks can achieve 93 percent decarbonization for a capital investment of $10.4 million and over 25 years will:

▪ Eliminate nearly 30,000 tCO2-equivalent emissions

▪ Reduce operating costs by $5.6 million

▪ Save $2.7 million in total lifecycle costs compared to current operations 

The parks can achieve 100 percent decarbonization for a capital investment of $15.3 million and over 25 years will:

▪ Eliminate nearly 32,000 tCO2-equivalent emissions

▪ Reduce operating costs by $4.9 million

▪ Cost $3.5 million more in total lifecycle costs compared to current operations 

Decarbonization of the facilities in the five parks includes three coordinated activities:

(1) Improving the energy efficiency of the facilities while eliminating (where possible) all direct fossil fuel combustion,

(2) Replacing internal combustion engine vehicles with electric vehicles and providing electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and

(3) Developing a fossil fuel-free energy supply system to serve the facilities. These coordinated decarbonization strategies will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and maintain a high level of reliability in a cost-effective manner.

"The five National Parks along the lake in the three states that share Lake Superior are treasured public lands and the Decarbonize the Parks project is part of a bold vision for protecting the environment around the Great Lakes," said Minnesota’s U.S. Sen. Tina Smith. "These parks can be a model for the nation for how climate action can be incorporated into our beloved system of national parks, demonstrating important leadership from Minnesota and the Midwest.”

The National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation-commissioned study by Willdan and Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3) outlines the path to decarbonization for each park. NPLSF will be working with park superintendents and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe), a co-steward at the Grand Portage National Monument and Isle Royale National Park, to begin implementation this year.

“Lake Superior it is one of the fastest-warming lakes in the world, with declining coldwater fisheries, unstable lake ice, and violent storms that have battered docks and marinas as well as light houses and other treasured resources,” said NPLSF Executive Director Tom Irvine. “With costeffective solutions and funding opportunities currently available, now is the time to rise to the climate challenge and demonstrate the importance of environmental stewardship.”

Most, if not all, of the $15 million price tag is coming from the National Park Service via the Inflation Reduction Act, Great American Outdoors Act, and Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation. 

"Mitigating climate-related vulnerabilities in parks is a National Park Service priority,” said Isle Royale Superintendent Denice Swanke. “The five Lake Superior parks are thrilled to be part of this collaborative partnership to invest in clean energy solutions."

A summary of the plan can be found here.